We have previously published that from May 2016, the KS2 exams are having an overhaul, and we have detailed what each student should typically expect on our SATs page.
Have you also heard that many secondary schools are planning to use the results from SATs to place children in sets? Don’t panic, there is still plenty of time to help your child prepare and ensure they get off to the best possible start at secondary school.
In summary, the changes being introduced are:
Reading Test
The reading test will be a single paper with questions based on three passages of text. Your child will have one hour, including reading time, to complete the test.
Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation (SPAG) Tests
The spelling, grammar and punctuation tests will consist of two parts; a grammar and punctuation paper requiring short answers, lasting 45 minutes, and an aural spelling test of 20 words, lasting around 15 minutes.
3 Separate Maths Papers in Arithmetic and Reasoning
Paper 1 will consist of fixed response questions, where children have to give the correct answer to calculations, including long multiplication and division. Papers 2 and 3 will involve a number of queston types, including multiple choice and constrained questions.
Science
Not all children in Year 6 will take science SATs. However, a number of schools will be required to take part in a science sampling. For those school selected, students will take three papers; Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
The tests are wide-ranging which will require a good understanding and are in a brand new format for 2016.
Here’s what you can do next:
1. Stay in touch with the changes that we will post
2. Book a place on one of our SATs preparation courses at Telford or Shrewsbury
So if you want to help boost your child’s confidence walking into those SAT exams, it’s not too late. Our weekly SATs lessons will help prepare students for the tests, and are a fun and very interactive way of ensuring your child is prepared, smiling and ready.